They make things more convenient for you
One of the most noticeable and appealing advantages of gate timers is the convenience they bring to everyday life. With a gate timer, you don’t need to manually operate your gate, instead programming it to open and close automatically at specific times that suit your schedule.
That means that if you’re planning on using them for your own private residence, if you have a regular morning routine then you can set your gate to open just before you’re ready to leave. That can save you a valuable few moments as you wait for the gate to open – and let’s be honest, sometimes those crucial few seconds can make all the difference in the mornings!
It’s the kind of thing that’s especially useful for homes that have two or more cars coming and going, or properties where several people use the gate. Instead of each person having to operate the gate manually, the timer ensures it operates without fail, regardless of who is home or when.
Similarly, for commercial properties, gate timers can help ensure that gates are open and closed at the right times. So if you have a dedicated slot for deliveries, you can enjoy peace of mind that the gates will be open to admit deliveries when you need them to be, but closed and secure for the rest of the time. Doing this can also help to minimise delays – or even prevent them entirely – which can be particularly useful for businesses with high customer traffic or deliveries.
Energy savings and efficiency
Gate timers can also contribute to energy savings and overall system efficiency, especially with gates that undergo particularly high numbers of cycles (lots of commercial gates fall into this category).
Gate leaves tend to be reasonably heavy, and require not-insignificant amounts of energy to move. If they’re only moving a few times a day, the energy usage involved is negligible – but if they’re being opened more than five or six times, as is often the case with commercial businesses, then those energy costs can start to become a more noticeable presence on the balance sheets. In these cases then, it often makes more sense to have the gates opened at set times of day, and then for deliveries or traffic to be concentrated to these windows if possible, so that business isn’t interrupted but you can still save energy on gates opening and closing unnecessarily.
Enhanced security and safety
Security is one of the top concerns for any property owner, and gate timers can play a crucial role in enhancing safety. A gate left open due to human error can create a security risk, especially if it is intended to be closed during certain hours. Gate timers help mitigate this risk by automatically closing the gate at the desired time, ensuring that your premises remain secure when they need to be. Additionally, timers can be integrated with other security systems, such as alarms or cameras, to create a more comprehensive security setup. This feature is particularly beneficial for properties in more remote locations or places where there is a risk of unwanted access after hours.
Maintenance and longevity of the gate system
In short, timers can help to reduce the number of times that your gates are being opened and closed throughout the day, and this can help to minimise wear on your gate motor and other mechanical parts. This means that using a gate timer ensures the gate is only used when required, but it also helps in spreading out the wear and tear, which can help your gates last even longer.
In addition to reducing wear on the motor, gate timers can also reduce the need for regular checks or manual intervention, which can be time-consuming. Automated scheduling ensures that the gate is optimised for both performance and longevity. Over time, this preventative approach means fewer service visits and reduced overall maintenance costs.
That’s everything in a nutshell! And of course, if you ever have any questions about any of our gate timers, or indeed any of our access control solutions (such as alternative solutions like our loop detectors), don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team here at Gate Auto. Feel free to browse them right here on our site, or give us a call on 01282 677300 – we’re always happy to help!